Sufiyan Muqeem of Pakistan surprised cricket fans by setting a unique record in One Day International (ODI) cricket. Batting at number 12 in the second ODI against New Zealand at Seddon Park, Hamilton, Muqeem scored an unbeaten 13 runs.
Sports News: Pakistan suffered an 84-run defeat against New Zealand in the second ODI of the three-match series played at Seddon Park, Hamilton. This win gave New Zealand an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. However, Pakistan's Sufiyan Muqeem created a world record in this match.
Muqeem bowled exceptionally well, taking 2 wickets for 33 runs in 10 overs. Furthermore, batting at number 12, he achieved a remarkable feat, unique in ODI cricket history. Muqeem's performance was commendable, despite the team's loss.
Unique Opportunity Due to Concussion Substitute
An unexpected incident during the match provided Muqeem with this opportunity. In the 25th over, Harris Rauf was hit on the helmet by a bouncer from New Zealand's fast bowler William O'Rourke, forcing Rauf to retire hurt. Aqeef Javed came onto the field as a concussion substitute but was dismissed for only 8 runs.
Subsequently, Sufiyan Muqeem, as the 12th player in the playing eleven, got a chance to bat. Muqeem capitalized on this opportunity, scoring an unbeaten 13 runs off 10 balls, including a boundary and a six.
Record for Most Runs at Number 12 in ODIs
This is the first time in ODI cricket that a batsman has scored double figures batting at number 12. Previously, Afghanistan's Azmatullah Omarzai scored an unbeaten 4 runs in 2023. Sufiyan Muqeem's performance has become a unique and first-of-its-kind record in the ODI format.
Sufiyan Muqeem (Pakistan) - 13* (2025)
Azmatullah Omarzai (Afghanistan) - 4* (2023)
Fazalhaq Farooqi (Afghanistan) - 1* (2023)
Shannon Gabriel (West Indies) - 0* (2019)
Ibadot Hossain (Bangladesh) - 0* (2021)
Impressive Bowling Performance
Muqeem's performance wasn't limited to batting; his bowling was also praiseworthy. He took 2 wickets for 33 runs in 10 overs. However, Pakistan lost the match by 84 runs, and New Zealand secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Sufiyan Muqeem became the first player to score more than 10 runs batting at number 12 across all three formats of cricket. The 25-year-old cricketer unknowingly created history in ODI cricket.
After the match, Muqeem said, "It was an unexpected opportunity, but I'm happy to have contributed to my team. I just tried to make the most of the chance."
